Memphis-based FedEx says the busiest day in company history will be Dec. 13

FedEx expects to move 16 million packages on its busiest day ever, a holiday season peak projected for Dec. 13, the company announced Thursday.

It's 1.8 million, or 12 percent, more than the standing record of 14.2 million packages sent last Dec. 14, taking advantage of a national trend toward more online shopping.

Buyers won't see FedEx trucks delivering many of the extra packages, though, because more than half the growth is anticipated in FedEx SmartPost. SmartPost picks up, sorts and delivers packages directly to U.S. Postal Service facilities for final delivery to residences, enabling online retailers to offer discounted shipping.

It will be at least the sixth straight year the holiday season has set a new record, FedEx officials said. The peak compares to an average daily package volume north of 8 million.

The higher volume was built into guidance, issued in September, for second-quarter earnings of $1.15 to $1.35 a diluted share and full-year earnings of $4.80 to $5.20 a diluted share.

The week of Dec. 13 will be the year's busiest, with more than 63.1 million shipments compared to 57.5 million in last year's busiest week.

Holiday volumes are expected to be weighted toward items like books from large Internet retailers and inventory such as apparel, personal consumer electronics and luxury goods.

"Once again, the FedEx work force of more than 285,000 team members will make the holidays happen for millions of FedEx customers across the globe," said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and CEO of FedEx Corp.

Holiday sales nationally are expected to increase 2.3 percent, less than a 10-year average of 2.5 percent, but far above last year's 0.4 percent increase, according to the National Retail Federation.

A 15 percent increase in non-store holiday sales is forecast by Deloitte, a research and consulting firm.